i use ai identification tools like merlin and inaturalist extensively in my naturalist practice, but i feel pretty strongly about there being a proper way to use them to get the best results. read more:
ryanmandelbirder.substack.com/p/how-to-use...
ryan
@ryanfm.bsky.social
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bird enjoyer ryanmandelbirder.substack.com please order my book about nyc nature thank you www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/ry… they/them
![wikipedia text reading "The dunlin (Calidris alpina) is a small wader in the genus Calidris. The English name is a dialect form of "dunling", first recorded in 1531–1532. It derives from dun, "dull brown", with the suffix -ling, meaning a person or thing with the given quality.[2]"](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:kc5q5xdq2nftjxnja55geed3/bafkreicra5dpv4xvrsi6yjkrx6evqvnmxbj7tr2illtllmyuaysmoostaq)
![The brant was formally described in 1758 by the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in the tenth edition of his Systema Naturae under the binomial name Anas bernicla.[4][5] Linnaeus specified the type locality as Europe but in 1761 restricted it to Sweden.[5][6] The brant is now one of six species placed in the genus Branta that was introduced in 1769 by the Austrian naturalist Giovanni Antonio Scopoli.[7] The genus name Branta is a Latinised form of Old Norse brandgás, "burnt (black) goose". The specific epithet bernicla is Medieval Latin for barnacle.[8]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:kc5q5xdq2nftjxnja55geed3/bafkreihycn33fo3xgdscp5slsao5c4rvarw2q4eetivsoeuziggaqgdgay)
![The brant and the similar barnacle goose were previously considered to be the same species and believed to be the same creature as the barnacle.[8] That myth can be dated back to at least the 12th century. Gerald of Wales claimed to have seen these birds hanging down from pieces of timber, William Turner accepted the theory, and John Gerard claimed to have seen the birds emerging from their shells. This myth arose because in the 1100s the migration of birds was unknown, but it was known that none of these birds was ever seen nesting, nor were eggs found, nor were goslings seen.[9] The legend persisted until the end of the 18th century. In County Kerry, until relatively recently, Catholics could eat this bird on a Friday because it counted as fish.[10]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:kc5q5xdq2nftjxnja55geed3/bafkreiacqp64leoeazsfkqidhs3aksl2hsiw5h2f2ge36cljm62dsnvv6e)
